Project description

Title: Improvement of water supply
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development ( BMZ)
Country: Afghanistan
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Energy and Water
Overall term: 2008 to 2018

Context

Water, especially clean water, is a rare commodity in Afghanistan. Its climate alone makes Afghanistan one of the world’s most arid countries. After nearly 30 years of civil war, water management in Afghanistan is only now gradually being reconstructed. Only one in three households in the capital Kabul, and one in five in the provincial cities, is connected to the often dilapidated public water supply system. Up to 40 per cent of water is lost through leaks in the existing water pipe systems. In many places, governmental structures still lack the capacity to establish needs-oriented water management.

The majority of people, especially the rural population, are dependent on wells and rivers or supplies from water tankers. In many places, the scarce water resources are becoming increasingly overused and polluted. Children especially suffer from diarrhoea and other illnesses, and also from cholera. This situation has a negative effect on the health of the population, and on the country’s economic and political development.

Objective

Afghani institutions operate and upgrade needs-oriented water supply and sanitation systems in accordance with market economy principles.

Approach

With project support, the necessary framework is being established at governmental level in the context of water sector reform. Responsibility for local drinking water supply is to be decentralised to make it more customer and needs-oriented. Members of staff in institutions at national level and in the provinces receive training in technical and management responsibilities.

On behalf of BMZ, GIZ supports the establishment of local, economically viable water utility companies both in the capital and in selected provincial cities such as Kunduz, Herat and Faizabad. GIZ has subcontracted RODECO Consulting to carry out this work.

The protection and administration of water resources in water catchment areas are also central issues. The population must be provided with reliable supplies of clean drinking water at affordable prices.

Results achieved so far

At the political level, the Ministry of Urban Development, which is responsible for water supply, and the Ministry of Energy and Water, which is responsible for the use and protection of water resources, have begun to formulate a modern water policy. Important decisions have now been made on fundamental principles for sector strategy, and regulations have been drafted.

The water supply for the population in Kabul, Herat, Kunduz and in selected provincial centres in the North of Afghanistan has improved because of the project. The sustainability of investments in the water sector is safeguarded; the foundations for further independent development of water management are being established.

From the start of 2007 until the end of 2008, the number of connected households in Kunduz increased almost five-fold. A further increase is expected by the end of 2009. If each household is presumed to have 10 to 15 inhabitants, then approximately 30 per cent of the city’s residents are being supplied.

In 2008, the local water utility company was able to transform its budget deficit into a surplus. A much greater increase in the surplus is expected for 2009.

Herat Water Supply (HWS) is a very efficient water supplier with a small, but effective management structure with only 107 staff. Its performance can be compared with that of suppliers in industrialised countries. With more than 30,000 connections, all of which are equipped with water meters, HWS supplies almost 85 per cent of the population of the city of Herat and approximately 30 per cent of the satellite towns (as at July 2009). By the end of 2010, a supply rate of 100 per cent in Herat and 40 to 45 per cent in the surrounding satellite towns, which also include many refugee camps, will be achieved due to the ongoing support programme.

The project not only makes a fundamental contribution to the improvement of the population’s living conditions, but also improves their productivity and future chances. By fulfilling such vital basic requirements, it also contributes to peace in the country.